What Helps Kids Thrive

Protective Factors and Resilience
Mitigate ACEs & Toxic Stress

Positive Childhood Experiences

Every child needs certain core experiences to develop into a healthy, thriving adult. Research on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) identifies key categories:

Supportive Relationships: Feeling able to talk to family about feelings; having at least one non-parent adult who takes genuine interest in the child

Safe, Stable Environments: Feeling safe and protected at home; feeling a sense of belonging at school

Social & Civic Engagement: Participating in community traditions; having opportunities to contribute and help others

Emotional Growth: Being supported through difficult emotions; developing the skills to cope with adversity

These aren't luxuries. They are foundational to healthy development. When children have consistent access to these experiences, the effects are measurable and lasting — independent of whether they have also experienced adversity.

Bethell et al., 2019, Journal of Adolescent Health;
Sege & Browne, 2017, JAMA Pediatrics

Working together to build better outcomes.

We all have a role to play in providing better futures for children. No matter where you live or who you are, you can play a role in building better outcomes.  To learn more, explore our audience-specific guides below about how ACEs and fostering resilience can help change the future for children.

Early Childhood

School-Age

Healthcare

Local Initiatives

  1. Felitti, V.J., Anda, R.F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D.F., Spitz, A.M., Edwards, V., & Koss, M. P. (1998) Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American journal of Preventive Medicine 14(4), 245-258
  2. Shonkoff, Jack P. Andrew S. Garner. “The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress.” Pediatrics: Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. December 26, 2011.
  3. Shonkoff, Jack P. Andrew S. Garner. “The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress.” Pediatrics: Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. December 26, 2011.
  4. http://www.rwjf.org
  5. Shonkoff, J. P. & Garner, A.S. (2012). The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress. Pediatrics: Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 129(1), e232–e246.
  6. Prevent Child Abuse America, KPJR Films. “The Facilitator’s Guide to Resilience.”
  7. Ginsburg, K. R., & Kinsman, S.B. (2014) Reaching Teens: Strength-based Communication Strategies to Build Resilience and Support Healthy Adolescent Development. American Academy of Pediatrics.